Congratulations, Elaine Toms, Veteran of the Year

Commander Marian Elaine Toms joined the U.S. Navy in 1942 as a member of the Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service. This year – 74 years later! – the Cromwell Downtown Merchants Association (CDMA) honored Toms as its Veteran of the Year. This past Memorial Day she served as the honoree for the Cromwell Memorial Day Car Show, and on June 14, she was honored at Covenant Village of Cromwell, her home since 1996. In attendance were fellow Covenant Village of Cromwell residents, family members and staff, along with city and state officials, including Sen. Paul Doyle. CDMA’s Co-chair Cara Ehlers presented Toms with a plaque, and Town of Cromwell Mayor Enzo Faienza presented her with a proclamation from the Town of Cromwell and Cromwell Downtown Merchants Association. “Elaine was a woman before her time,” said Pamela Klapproth, executive director at Covenant Village of Cromwell. “We’re proud of her and her accomplishments and appreciate the joy she continues to bring to our community.” After World War II had ended, Toms continued to serve her country by doing pioneering work in the Navy’s Nucleonics Division. She retired in 1975.